Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted September 21, 2014 Members Share Posted September 21, 2014 Just saw this on Lewis County in Washington State. The County is charging a Messianic Jewish congregation a special fee if they use the Lewis River for baptisms. BATTLE GROUND, Wash. -- Earlier this year, Bill Heuvel set up at the county offices to grab a spot at Lewisville Park for his Messianic Jewish congregation's annual picnic, something the group has been doing for years. They're used to paying a few hundred dollars for the spot. This year, after they paid for the reservation, Clark County sent them another bill. Another hundred bucks, because they were planning on having some baptisms in the Lewis River. They questioned the county about the bill, since this was the first time they had to pay one like this. "My Rabbi called and went through two or three people, he finally got through to someone who said basically this is how it is, don't bother me with this," said Heuvel. Heuvel and his wife Mary think it's the county's way of making up lost revenue, after the county dropped the day use fee at Lewisville Park. "There are hundreds of vehicles going in there that are no longer paying three dollars a carload, and using the parks and the water for free. We spend a lot less time than other people in the water, but we have to pay extra. I guess they have to get their money from somewhere," said Mary Heuvel. Bill found out other religious groups paid the same fee. Park representatives were not available to talk with KATU today, but the county's website says there will be a fee for baptisms, based on the impact they have on the park, not the activity itself. Still, the Heuvel's think it's discrimination. Their Rabbi has been talking to lawyers at the American Center for Law and Justice, big defenders of religious freedom. They tell the Rabbi they think the county is out of line on the baptism fee, and are working on a letter to the county, to get the fee returned. http://www.katu.com/news/local/Billed-For-Baptism-275850801.html Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LynnDel Posted September 21, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 21, 2014 If you're going to get married on a beach, you are supposed to pay a fee, but a larger group nearby can have a picnic, fee free. I guess because they can charge it, they will. Quote LD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted September 21, 2014 Author Members Share Posted September 21, 2014 I can see a fee for a wedding - it would have more likelihood of making a mess on the beach, or causing other interruptions than would a baptism.. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LynnDel Posted September 21, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 21, 2014 Not our wedding! Quote LD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LynnDel Posted September 21, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 21, 2014 They asked how many guests, and the activities, etc., but the fee was the same no matter what. Quote LD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted September 21, 2014 Author Members Share Posted September 21, 2014 ..for Lewis County, the fee appears to be specific to baptisms ... Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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